Its Going To Be Great Challenge - Step 2: Dear Future Me

“Having a vision for your life allows you to live out of hope, rather than out of your fears.” – Stedman Graham

This page is about designing the future you. The person you want to be and feel. In the last section you completed a stocktake of where you are now. You would have considered things like your health, relationships, work, financial situation. All in the present tense.

Well now it is time to jump forward in time to the person you really want to be.

A new, redesigned you . . .

An Epiphany in Darling Harbour . . .

A few years ago our family took off to Sydney for a year. I landed a job, we rented a house and the girls started school and kindergarten. It actually wasn't supposed to be for a year - but thats another story.

My work kindly sponsored me on a Franklin Covey two day course. It was about 7 habits - and blowed if I can remember what those 7 habits were. But the one thing that really resonated with me was when I developed my own mission statement.

The term mission statement sounds pretty turgid I have to admit. But what it is - is actually pretty simple and straight forward. Its about talking about me - in the future. If I could paint a picture of an ideal future me, what would that look like? What would I be feeling, doing, being . . . ? The epiphany referred to in the title of this section occurred on day two of the course, which was held in Darling Harbour. We were let loose for two hours with a blank sheet of paper to write our own personal mission statements.

There was the usual pen chewing and distractions to deal with of course, and then the words stated to flow. And the result was amazing. I came home on a cloud that day because for the first time I had described me as the person I honestly wanted to be. I felt happy just thinking about it.

I still carry that page around today. I looked at it last week. My life has moved on but the things I talked about are still relevant today. Things like being fit and healthy, never economising on bedding, jumping out of bed each day full of ideas and enthusiasm, making work an extension of who I am - not the other way around, being best mates with my wife and mentor to my girls.

Having a mission statement is something everyone should do BEFORE seeking changes to our lives. Because to work out your travel, it helps to have the destination in mind.

Developing your Mission Statement

Stephen Covey said "A mission statement is not something you write overnight... But fundamentally, your mission statement becomes your constitution, the solid expression of your vision and values. It becomes the criterion by which you measure everything else in your life."

I think what Stephen Covey is saying is that because your mission statement has the potential to be so fundamentally important - to you - its not something to be rushed. On the other hand I believe that when we allow ourselves to be truly honest and intuitive, we often amaze ourselves by how quickly words can flow.

Here are suggested steps to start those creative juices flowing . . .

Step 1: Find Your Core Values

"It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are" -Roy Disney

Your values define you as a person. They are your "soul" and guide (often subconsciously) your actions and reactions, beliefs, outlook on life - to name a few.

We all have many values which are important to us at different times in our life. But what if someone pressed you to define your inner-circle of core values - those that are absolutely fundamental in your life. What would you do?

This exercise is about finding your 6 core values. There is no magic in the number "6" by the way and if you come up with five or seven then that is just fine. Your goal though is to go deep and identify those key values which will form the basis of your mission statement.

﻿Use this tool﻿to help you. You will find a long list of values - starting off with one-word types, progressing on to short value statements. There are columns provided for you to "tick" whether the value is:

- not really important to you - on the periphery- sort of important - now and again- strong - yes this resonates with you- Your top six (or five or seven)

﻿Is it really a value?

Values are enduring. They go to the very soul of who we are.

However there are probably things that are important to you right now that might not necessarily count as your values. Things that are maybe urgent, or something your "need" rather than "are" . . .

Here are some tips to separate your values from other stuff going on in your life . . .

If it EXCITES you its probably a value, even if it scares you a little

If you feel UPLIFTED thinking about it, its probably a value

If you FELT IT AS A CHILD and still do, its probably a value

If it feels NATURAL, its probably a value

If you are doing it to get somewhere else, its maybe NOT a value

If there is urgency attached, its maybe NOT a value

If you need it to be happy, its probably NOT a value

Step 2: Answer Some Pretty Fundamental Questions

With your values exercise in mind - grab a pen and paper and answer some of these questions. You don't need to answer them all. Pick some (but not too few) that resonate with you. But above all, be instinctive and put down the first thing that comes into your head.

This exercise is all about getting your blood pumping. Putting you in a moment of daring and inspiration. Outside your comfort zone . . . no limits.

If money or location were irrelevant - what would your ultimate dream job be?

You have just won a competition for an all expenses paid trip to anywhere in the world - 1 month - you get to choose - where would you go?

If you could join the Board and direct efforts of one charitable organisation, which one would you choose?

Who do you most admire?

What did you do in the last year that you were incredibly proud of?

What would you do if you knew nobody would judge you?

You have won $10 million. What is the first thing you would do?

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

You get the chance to train as a teacher - what would you teach?

You have a month at a cottage in the mountains - no telephone, no internet, no neighbours, no shops - what would you do?

Your friends are asked to say what they like about you in a confidential survey - what do you think they would say?

What made you smile today?

Step 3: Identify Your Roles

You have roles in your life. We all do. We are fathers or mothers, brothers or sisters, bread winners for the family, keepers of the house, sons, daughters, workers, bosses, colleagues, club members, parishioners, coaches, counsellors, friends . . .

The point about roles is this. They form the basis of our relationships in life. And therefore they are a useful focus point for defining your vision about the new future you.

As an exercise, think about the roles you have in life - and write them down. Try to start with those that mean most to you, and end with those that are maybe part time, occasional, or on the way out.

And, most importantly, don't forget to include the role you have to look after yourself!

Step 4: Put it All Together

"If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself, if you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation" Lao Tzu

Well done. If you are at this step you have:

Identified the values that are most important to you;

Answered some blood pumping questions, that probably scared you a little; and

Thought about the different roles you have in your life.

There is no right or wrong way to develop your own mission statement. The key to a successful mission statement is that it should be personal to you and written/presented in a way that will give you the absolute best possible chance of success.

Here are some suggestions:

Base your mission statement around your roles. So for example: As a Father I will always be there for my children. I will make it a priority to be their cheer-leader when they need encouragement and a giver of big hugs when they are down. I will organise weekend holidays with each of my kids every year where we will have the opportunity to hang out, talk about life and get to know each other better. They will grow into emotionally intelligent and happy young adults, and I will be on the sideline supporting and applauding every step of the way . . .

Base your mission statement around your values. So for example: I will make it a priority always be honest in life. With those I love, with those I live with, with those I work with, with my boss and above all with my self . . .

Base your mission statement around your blood pumping questions. So for example: Within the next five years I will take a whole year off and live in South East Asia. Me and my family will take time to relax, smell the roses, learn about and appreciate another culture and ultimately to grow closer together as a family.

OR use all three - mix and match . . .

Congratulations! You have completed your mission statement.

Maybe this is your first, or perhaps the latest of several mission statements (and hopefully each building on the last). Whichever is the case you have just finished what very few of us ever manage to do - and that is to design your future self. Take a pat on the back.

Its up to you how you wish to present your mission statement. Pin it to the kitchen noticeboard, make it your screen-saver, place it beside your bed so its the first thing your see each morning or even put it somewhere hidden and private to you . . . Its YOUR mission statement about YOU. So you get to decide, nobody else.